Progressive jackpot gaming systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of progressive gaming systems and methods are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises providing a progressive jackpot, and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to gaming systems, and more particularly, to electronic gaming systems.

BACKGROUND

Gaming machines such as mechanically driven slot machines have been a staple of the gaming and entertainment industries for years. With the advent of computers, electronic forms of gaming machines such as video slots, video bingo, video poker, video keno and video blackjack have emerged and become increasingly popular. Such electronic devices continue to grow in popularity with the development of enhanced computer-generated graphics and sounds, making them more attractive to a wider audience of participants.

With the recent growth in the electronic gaming machine market, competition between manufacturers to place their equipment in available venues has become fierce. When selecting which machines to put into their facilities, the operators of gaming establishments give substantial consideration to their patrons' perception of a game as entertaining and exciting.

To attain this goal, casinos frequently employ progressive gaming systems in which gaming machines are linked together to allow players to compete for a common award or “progressive jackpot” in addition to the prizes paid at the individual gaming machines. In such systems a plurality of gaming machines are electronically linked to a central progressive controller or server which increases the progressive jackpot by a portion of the amount of money bet at each of the linked machines. The jackpot grows rapidly because multiple players are contributing to the jackpot at the same time. The amount of the jackpot is displayed either at the individual gaming machines or on a central display. When one of the linked gaming machines hits a predetermined outcome (e.g., a royal flush in a poker game), the progressive jackpot is awarded to the player obtaining the winning outcome.

Gaming machine systems employing such progressive jackpots are well known in the art. For example, one system teaches a progressive jackpot system in which a proportion of the jackpot is awarded to eligible players at each linked machine. Data from each of a group of linked slot machines is sent to a central controller which determines the value of the progressive jackpot by accumulating a predetermined fraction of the money bet at each linked machine. When a progressive jackpot-winning outcome occurs at one of the linked machines, the winning machine signals the controller which then announces the win. The eligibility of the players to share in the progressive jackpot may be based upon a variety of factors, such as placing a maximum bet at the gaming machine or initiating play at the gaming machine within a predetermined time interval before the progressive jackpot-winning outcome occurs.

A variation of the typical progressive jackpot gaming system is the so-called “secret” progressive jackpot. In such a system, the winning gaming machine causes the progressive jackpot to reach an unknown, predetermined value, as opposed to the typical winning combination. In such a system, the game controller, using a random number generator, establishes a jackpot-win amount between maximum and minimum values. The controller also establishes an initial base or “seed” value for the progressive jackpot. The jackpot amount is incremented each time a game is played at one of the linked gaming machines.

After each increment of the jackpot, the controller compares the new jackpot value with the previously established jackpot-win value. If the new value is less than a jackpot-win value, the controller merely updates the jackpot value. When an increment to the current jackpot value causes the value to reach or become equal to the predetermined jackpot-win value, the result is communicated to the winning linked gaming machine and the appropriate payment of the jackpot-win amount is made to the player.

One need with these and other systems is that of encouraging continued play.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of progressive gaming systems and methods are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises providing a progressive jackpot, and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, and be within the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosed systems and methods. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a progressive gaming system.

FIG. 2 is shows an exemplary gaming machine of the progressive gaming system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a progressive gaming method.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates another embodiment of a progressive gaming method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of progressive jackpot gaming systems and methods (herein, simply gaming systems). Such gaming systems accumulate and award a progressive jackpot in addition to any awards paid by an individual gaming machine of the gaming system. In some embodiments, the jackpot is augmented by a percentage of the amount wagered at the gaming machines in which the percentage is dependent upon the denomination wagered. Payout of the progressive jackpot is tied to the occurrence of some predefined event. The progressive jackpot is awarded randomly to a player using the system when the event is reached. However, the players' chances of winning the progressive are proportionate to either the total or average dollar amount bet by each individual player during his or her session (i.e., the chances of winning are biased based on the wager amount). Such a system increases excitement of play and rewards players for their betting activity by increasing the likelihood of winning based upon the amount wagered.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system 100. The gaming system 100 includes a game server 101 networked to a plurality of individual gaming machines 103 via a network 105 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) such as an Ethernet connection, a wide area network (WAN), among or other media). Each gaming machine 103 may be located locally or remotely with respect to one another.

In one embodiment, the game server 101 can implement gaming software 102. The gaming software 102 can be implemented in software, as an executable program, and can be executed by a special or general purpose digital computer, such as a personal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise), workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The gaming software 102 includes a user-interface (UI) module 104 that provides display functions according to well-known web-page or screen display generation and formatting mechanisms. The gaming software 102 also includes a random number (RN) generator 107. The RN generator 107 comprises one or more modules of code configured to generate and assign a seed value to the progressive jackpot, determine an event (and value thereof) that is to result in a progressive jackpot payout, augment the progressive jackpot, and determine a winner based on execution of, in one embodiment, a random number equation with weighted variables corresponding to the wager amounts from a plurality of players (i.e., a biasing function), as further explained below. Although shown integral to the gaming software 102, one having ordinary skill in the art would understand in the context of this disclosure that the UI module 104 and/or RN generator 107 can be modules distinct from the gaming software 102, and that each module may be further configured using a plurality of submodules.

Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in FIG. 1, the game server 101 includes a processor 106, memory 108, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices or peripherals 110 that are communicatively coupled via a local interface 112. The local interface 112 can be, for example, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections. The local interface 112 may have additional elements (not shown) to enable communications, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers. Further, the local interface 112 may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components. The game server 101 can also communicate with the database 114 via the local interface 112. The local database 114 can be external to or integral to the game server 101.

The processor 106 is a hardware device capable of executing software, particularly that stored in memory 108. The processor 106 can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the game server 101, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions.

Memory 108 can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 108 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that memory 108 can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor 106.

The software in memory 108 may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In one example of the game server 101 of FIG. 1, the software in the memory 108 includes the gaming software 102 and a suitable operating system (O/S) 116. The operating system 116 essentially controls the execution of other computer programs, such as the gaming software 102, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services.

The gaming software 102 can be a source program, executable program (object code), script, and/or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, then the program may be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within memory 108, so as to operate properly in connection with the operating system 116. Furthermore, the gaming software 102 can be written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, ASP, and Ada.

The I/O devices 110 may include input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc., as well as interfaces to various devices (e.g., an interface to one or more progressive displays 118). Furthermore, the I/O devices 110 may also include output devices, such as a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/O devices 110 may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance a modulator/demodulator (modem for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, etc.

When the game server 101 is in operation, the processor 106 is configured to execute software stored within memory 108, to communicate data to and from memory 108, and to generally control operations of the game server 101 pursuant to the software. The gaming software 102 and the operating system 116, in whole or in part, but typically the latter, are read by the processor 106, perhaps buffered within the processor 106, and then executed.

The gaming software 102 can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. The gaming software 102 can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In one embodiment of the invention, the progressive display 118 for displaying the current value of the progressive jackpot is connected to the I/O interface 110. In one embodiment, the progressive display 118 is a large screen plasma monitor. Such monitors are extremely thin, making them particularly suitable for mounting at an elevation above the gaming machines and allowing the progressive display 118 to be viewed by a large audience of individuals. However, the progressive display 118 can, in the alternative, be a CRT, LCD or any other type of display known in the art.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a video gaming machine 103. It is noted that the term “gaming machine” may refer to any device, activity or mode of play for gaming (i.e., gambling or redemption), amusement, competition, or other purposes. Additionally, “gaming machine” may refer to a “stand alone” player station or console in which case the outcome of game play is determined locally, or part of a server-based network of gaming machines in which case the outcome of game play is centrally determined. The gaming machine 103 includes a cabinet 202 housing a primary display 204 for displaying game events. The primary display 204 may be a mechanical display such as used in traditional slot machines, or a video display such as a flat panel LCD as used in electronic games such as video bingo, video slots, video poker, video keno or video blackjack. In one embodiment, the gaming machine 103 includes a progressive display 205 for displaying the value of the progressive jackpot. The gaming machine 103 may also include top glass 207 and belly glass 209 for displaying various information such as game rules or graphics designed to attract players to participate.

Proximate to the primary display 204 are a series of electromechanical buttons 206 positioned on the cabinet for use as a user interface for controlling game play such as selecting a bet amount, commencing play and cashing out. The specific arrangement and function of each of the electromechanical buttons 206 is dependent upon the type of game being played on the gaming machine 103. For example, for a Blackjack game, the electromechanical buttons 206 may include options for placing a bet, cashing out, hitting or standing, doubling down, purchasing insurance and/or splitting. Alternatively, in a poker game, the electromechanical buttons 206 may include options for placing a bet, cashing out and/or designating which cards to keep and which to discard. In one embodiment, the primary display 204 is a “touch screen” upon which icons corresponding to some or all of the electromechanical buttons 206 appear. The user can activate the functions associated with the icons by simply touching the appropriate area of the primary display 204 rather than depressing the electromechanical buttons 206.

The gaming machine 103 also includes a wager input interface 208, such as a bill acceptor into which a player inserts paper currency and receives credit on the gaming machine 103 for the amount deposited. In alternate embodiments, the wager input interface 208 can be a ticket reader, a magnetic card reader, or similar mechanisms, into which the player places a ticket or magnetic card encoded with a monetary value purchased from a cashier's station or vending machine.

Upon initial operation of the gaming system 100, a seed value is generated and assigned to the progressive jackpot by a random number generator routine implemented via the RN generator 107 stored in memory 108 and controlled by the processor 106. The seed value is selected from the range between maximum and minimum values defined by program instructions residing in the RN generator 107. Although the seed value may be zero, in some implementations, the seed value may be set at a significant amount to generate instant excitement and interest in the gaming machines 103 associated with the gaming system 100. The value of the progressive jackpot is displayed on the central progressive display 118, the gaming machine progressive display 205, or both.

Next, the random number generator 107 selects a payoff event for the progressive jackpot. Upon the occurrence of the payoff event, the then-current value of the progressive jackpot is paid in the manner discussed below. The payoff event may be selected from one of any number of criteria. For example, the payoff event may be a certain dollar amount reached by the progressive jackpot, a certain date and time, the number of games played at the gaming machines 103 since initialization of the progressive jackpot, the amount wagered at the gaming machines 103 since initialization of the progressive jackpot, the time elapsed since initialization of the progressive jackpot or any other arbitrary occurrence that can be measured. Irrespective of the manner in which the payoff event is implemented, in the embodiments described herein, the payoff event is not related to a game event occurring at one of the individual gaming machines 103, as is the case in typical progressive jackpot systems. In other words, the payout of the progressive jackpot is related only to this event and not related to game play (e.g., a game event will not award the progressive). Once a progressive has been paid out, the system 100 resets and the progressive value is returned to a starting value (e.g., zero).

Once the progressive jackpot seed value and payoff event have been established, play of the individual gaming machines 103 commences. One exemplary manner of play is described below. First, the player places a wager by inputting currency or a ticket or magnetic card bearing game credits into wager input interface 208 of a primary gaming machine 103. In one embodiment, the gaming machine 103 indicates the amount of money or credit available for the player to bet during play. The player then proceeds to indicate the amount to be wagered on a particular play of the game, up to the lesser of the available game credits or the maximum allowable bet on the gaming machine 103. The player starts play of the game by selecting the appropriate choice among the electromechanical buttons 206. After the placing of a wager and commencing play of the primary gaming machine 103, the player interacts with the game. For example, if the game being played on the gaming machine 103 is blackjack, the player is dealt cards and subsequently makes decisions whether to stand, hit, double down, split or purchase insurance. Alternatively, if the game is poker, the player is dealt cards and makes decisions to try to achieve the best hand. Play of the game continues in typical fashion. A winning outcome results in the player receiving additional game credits. Conversely, a losing outcome results in the player's wager being forfeited.

In one embodiment, during play of the games on the individual gaming machines 103, a portion of the amount wagered by the player is received by the gaming software 102 (e.g., RN generator 107) and used to augment the progressive jackpot. This portion is typically a percentage of the amount bet, such as 2%. For example, a wager of $1.00 will increase the value of the progressive jackpot by $0.02.

In one embodiment, the percentage of the amount wagered used to augment the progressive jackpot varies with the denomination of the gaming machine played. The denomination refers to the monetary amount associated with each credit bet. For example, 2% of the amount wagered may be collected from a gaming machine having a denomination of $0.05, 3% may be collected from a gaming machine having a denomination of $0.25 and 5% may be collected from a gaming machine having a denomination of $1.00.

Play of the gaming machines 103 continues until the occurrence of the payoff event. Once the payoff event occurs, each player then playing gaming machines 103 is eligible to win the progressive jackpot. A player's chances of winning the progressive are proportionately tied to either the total or average dollar amount bet per session. That is, in one embodiment, the gaming software 102 is configured to bias the outcome or chances of success by comparing wagering data (e.g., denomination amounts provided by each machine 103 based on what individuals have wagered during a session) and weighting each wager amount proportionally (or disproportionally in some embodiments, as long as the higher the wager amount, the greater the chance of success) in an award calculation to determine a winner of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the award calculation may comprise a random number equation with variables that are weighted by the wagering amounts in a manner that increases the likelihood or odds that the player having the highest wager amount will win the progressive jackpot. For instance, one exemplary mechanism for such a weighted random number generation can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,927, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other mathematical approaches may be used to determine a winner with odds in favor of the players wagering higher denominational amounts in a given session, such as mechanisms shown, without limitation, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,646, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The RN generator 107 solves this weighted equation in an effort to determine a winner. Thus, the chances of winning the progressive jackpot are tied to the dollar amount wagered at each participating machine 103. A session refers to the time between the player beginning play of a gaming machine on the progressive system and ending play. The amount wagered by a player during a particular session is monitored by a player tracking card or similar method known in the art. For example, if two players are logged into the system when the progressive hits and one has bet $5.00 for his or her session and the other has bet $1.00, the former will be 5 times more likely to be awarded the progressive. In some embodiments, the average amount bet by a player can be used by the gaming software 102 to determine the odds of winning. While anyone can win, the odds are in the favor of the players who have bet more per session.

FIG. 3 shows one gaming method embodiment 100 a implemented by the gaming system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The flow diagram of FIG. 3 shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementation of the gaming system 100. In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in FIG. 3. For example, two blocks shown in succession in FIG. 3 may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified hereinbelow.

Upon initial operation of the gaming system 100, the RN generator 107 generates a seed value (301) and assigns the seed value to the progressive jackpot (303). The seed value is selected from the range between maximum and minimum values defined by program instructions residing in the RN generator 107. As explained above, the seed value may be zero, set at a significant amount, or set anywhere along a continuum between the maximum and minimum values. The value of the progressive jackpot is displayed on the central progressive display 118, the gaming machine progressive display 205 of participating machines 103, or both. Continuing, the random number generator 107 selects a payoff event for the progressive jackpot (305). In one embodiment, the event generation is random and unknown to the players.

At (307), the gaming software 102 receives wagers from a plurality of machines 103 (based on input by each player at the respective machine), and begins play of the gaming machine 103 (309). Once the wager has been placed and the game has been played, a percentage of this wager is optionally used to augment the progressive jackpot (311). Further, the gaming software 102 compares wagers received by each machine 103 (313) and weights the wager amounts in an award calculation based on the total dollar amount (or average dollar amount in some embodiments) wagered (315), as explained above. For example, if input from one machine 103 indicates that a player has wagered $100 and input from another machine 103 indicates that a player has wagered $300, the gaming software 102 determines that their respective chances of winning are ⅓ and ⅔, respectively.

If the play of the gaming machine 103 results in the occurrence of the progressive jackpot payoff event (317), as determined by the gaming software 102, the progressive jackpot is awarded to one of the players participating in that gaming session based on the above-described weighting calculation implemented by the gaming software 102 (319). The system then reverts to (301) and play of the gaming system 100 continues.

Having described various embodiments of the gaming system 100, one would appreciate in the context of the disclosure that one method embodiment 100 b, shown in FIG. 4, comprises providing a progressive jackpot (401), and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount (403).

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 

1. A gaming method, comprising: providing a progressive jackpot; and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding the progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event independent of a game event attained by the winning player at a corresponding game machine.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein awarding the progressive jackpot based on a game event comprises awarding based on the progressive jackpot reaching a predefined dollar amount, on a predefined date and time, on an amount wagered at a game machine, or on a predefined number of game plays.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein awarding comprises randomly awarding.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing comprises making the progressive jackpot available to a plurality of players for potential award.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises biasing the chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on an average wager amount or a total wager amount.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises biasing the chance of winning during a session defined by a beginning play time and ending play time corresponding to when the progressive jackpot is potentially available for award for each player in the system.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises increasing the likelihood of a player winning based on the wager amount corresponding to the player.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises comparing wager amounts corresponding to a plurality of players and weighting each of the wager amounts in a random number equation corresponding to a progressive jackpot winner calculation.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising associating each of the wager amounts with a corresponding player of the plurality of players.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising augmenting the progressive jackpot based on the wager amount.
 12. A gaming system, comprising: a memory with gaming software; and a processor configured with the gaming software to bias a chance of winning a progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising one or more display devices that display the progressive jackpot to a plurality of players.
 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of gaming machines communicatively coupled to the processor, the gaming machines configured to provide wagers with corresponding wager amounts to the processor during a defined session.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured with the gaming software to augment the progressive jackpot in proportion to each of the wager amounts.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured with the gaming software to award the progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event independent of a game event attained by the winning player in a corresponding game machine.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the predefined event comprises a predefined dollar amount, a predefined date and time, an amount wagered at a game machine, or a predefined number of game plays.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the wager amount comprises a total wager amount for a player or an average wager amount for the player.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured with the gaming software to bias by comparing wager amounts corresponding to a plurality of players and solve a progressive jackpot winner calculation by weighting each of the wager amounts in a random number equation.
 20. A system, comprising: means for providing a progressive jackpot; means for biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount; and means for awarding the progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event independent of a game event attained by the winning player at a corresponding game machine.
 21. A computer readable medium having a computer program for awarding a progressive jackpot, comprising: logic configured to provide a progressive jackpot; logic configured to bias a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount; and logic configured to award the progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event independent of a game event attained by the winning player at a corresponding game machine. 